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Does Awareness of Aging Matter? The Moderating Function of Awareness of Age-Related Change on the Relationships Between COVID-19 Disruption, Perceived Stress, and Affect

Author

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  • Elli Kolovos
  • Tim D Windsor
  • Shevaun Neupert

Abstract

ObjectivesHow people reflect on their own age may influence their well-being in the face of disruptions associated with the coronavirus (COVID-19). Subjective aging was operationalized in terms of one’s awareness of age-related change (AARC), specifically, the gains and losses associated with aging. We developed a measure assessing disruptions to daily life associated with the COVID-19 pandemic across 3 dimensions (i.e., Social and Lifestyle Disruption, Work and Health Disruption, and Others Contracting COVID-19). We hypothesized that COVID-19 disruption would be positively associated with both AARC-losses and AARC-gains. Greater COVID-19 disruption would also be associated with poorer psychosocial outcomes (higher perceived stress and negative affect [NA] and lower positive affect [PA]) and these associations would be stronger for those reporting greater AARC-losses and weaker for those reporting greater AARC-gains.MethodsCross-sectional questionnaire data were collected from 263 participants from the United States (aged 40–83; mean age: 62.88 years, standard deviation = 9.00; 56.3% females).ResultsAfter controlling for age, gender, education, employment, socioeconomic status, and physical functioning, greater Work and Health Disruption was associated with greater AARC-losses. Greater Social and Lifestyle Disruption was associated with both greater AARC-gains and AARC-losses. Moderation effects showed an exacerbating effect of AARC-losses on NA in the face of Work and Health Disruption and a protective effect of AARC-gains on PA in the context of Social and Lifestyle Disruption.DiscussionWe extend research detailing antecedents of AARC and highlight the need for longitudinal research that considers the ever-changing nature of the pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Elli Kolovos & Tim D Windsor & Shevaun Neupert, 2023. "Does Awareness of Aging Matter? The Moderating Function of Awareness of Age-Related Change on the Relationships Between COVID-19 Disruption, Perceived Stress, and Affect," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 78(10), pages 1691-1699.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:geronb:v:78:y:2023:i:10:p:1691-1699.
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Anna E. Kornadt & Eva-Marie Kessler & Susanne Wurm & Catherine E. Bowen & Martina Gabrian & Verena Klusmann, 2020. "Views on ageing: a lifespan perspective," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 17(4), pages 387-401, December.
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